Chapter 8: Four

Rathore's VengeanceWords: 12341

Misha woke up and glanced around the unfamiliar room, her new reality settling in. She was married now, in her husband's room, a place that still felt foreign to her. She couldn't recall when she had finally drifted off to sleep the previous night, her tears eventually lulling her into a restless slumber. Crying wasn't something she usually allowed herself, but the weight of her future the life she had envisioned-pressed heavily on her heart.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Misha rose from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dressed and stood before the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with weary eyes. Today was important had to perform the cooking ritual, a tradition in her new home. With a deep sigh, she steeled herself for the day ahead, her determination to fulfil her duties overpowering the ache inside her.

As she glanced around the room one last time, it became clear that her husband had not returned. The emptiness of the space echoed her feelings, but she didn't dwell on it. With a final breath, Misha stepped out of the room, ready to face whatever awaited her downstairs.

Misha descended to the hall and entered the kitchen, where the workers had already prepared everything. She began cooking for the day, her hands working methodically but her mind preoccupied with worry.

When everyone gathered at the dining table for breakfast, Misha served the meal with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The silence as they ate made her heart race. She glanced around, wondering if the food was to their liking. Her father-in-law, Hrudhay, sat at the head of the table with his usually serious demeanour, making Misha even more apprehensive.

As the breakfast concluded, Hrudhay looked at her with a hint of warmth that was rare. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a carefully wrapped gift. With a small, reassuring smile, he said,

"Beta, this is for you," his tone gentle and filled with care. He handed her the gift and gave her a blessing before walking away.

Misha opened the gift to find a beautifully customized diamond necklace, a few pieces of paper, and a richly designed saree along with other essentials. The opulence of the gift overwhelmed her, and she felt a deep sense of gratitude.

Aavyan, with an excited grin, turned to Misha.

"Bhabhi, the food was excellent. I'd love to have homemade food from now on." His genuine enthusiasm was a comfort. Misha returned his smile, feeling a sense of belonging, despite her husband's aloofness.

Aavyan then presented another gift to Misha, a personalized jewellery box adorned with stones. Misha took it with a nod of thanks, touched by his thoughtfulness.

Ekansh, too, showed his respect. "Bhabhi, the food was great. I appreciate it." He handed her a sleek, luxurious designer watch. Misha admired the craftsmanship and praised the choice. Ekansh acknowledged her compliment with a nod.

Finally, Aavyan mentioned a gift from Arnav.

"Bhabhi this is from Our Arnav Bhai"

He handed Misha another box, and she opened it to find an exquisite collection of rubies, designed into a stunning necklace. The sheer value of the gifts left her in awe. She smiled, overwhelmed by the generosity.

As Aavyan and Ekansh left for the office after their warm wishes, Misha took the gifts to her room. Placing them carefully in her closet, she marvelled at their worth. The luxury of her new family's gifts made her feel incredibly wealthy. She sighed, realizing that her new life was indeed surrounded by opulence.

Arnav glanced up from the file he was reading as his brother, Ekansh, entered the room. Arnav, who was seated in a wheelchair due to an accident two years ago, sighed and set the file aside, turning his attention to Ekansh.

"Bhai, I need you to handle the upcoming deal. I'll be tied up with other matters," Ekansh said, settling onto the sofa. Arnav nodded in acknowledgement

"What about that other deal, the one we discussed?" Ekansh asked, his tone growing serious. Arnav's expression hardened.

"Ekansh, how many times have I told you not to bring that up?" Arnav replied firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "We'll discuss it later, outside the mansion."

Ekansh hesitated before speaking again. "Arnav Bhai, I heard you're getting married. Is that true?"

Arnav nodded in confirmation.

"Really? What changed your mind?" Ekansh asked, puzzled. "Since you never heed anyone's advice, not even Dad's, I'm surprised you agreed."

Arnav's face remained impassive as he replied, "He asked, and I agreed." His gaze shifted back to the file on the bed, betraying no emotion.

"Just like that?" Ekansh asked incredulously.

Arnav simply sighed and watched as Ekansh left the room. With a resigned shake of his head, Arnav checked his watch and then picked up his phone, focusing on his work.

In Verma House

The Verma house, a testament to opulence and grandeur, stood gleaming with luxury. Every corner reflected wealth, from the intricately carved wooden furniture to the shimmering crystal chandeliers that adorned the ceiling.

Arthi, who had been working tirelessly since the early morning, finally allowed herself a moment of respite. She sank into the sofa, savouring a plate of snacks. But her brief moment of peace was shattered by the familiar, sharp voice of her Aunty Maya, who had just returned home.

"Arthi, what are you doing sitting there? Go prepare food" Maya's voice echoed through the grand hall, laced with impatience and authority. Arthi jumped up, her heart racing with fear, and hurried towards the kitchen, her mind already racing with the list of tasks she still had to complete.

As the tension thickened in the house, the front door swung open, and Trisha stormed in, her expression a mix of anger and determination.

"Mom, I am not going to marry him," she declared, her voice trembling with defiance.

Her mother, Maya, who had just entered from outside, shot her a cold, unyielding look. Her father, Rajvijay, stood silently beside his wife, his face a mask of conflicted emotions.

"Trisha, what nonsense are you talking about?" Maya retorted, her tone cutting like a knife. "You are marrying him, and that's final."

Trisha stared at her mother in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the words she had just heard.

"Mom, are you serious?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration. "He's confined to a wheelchair, Mom. He can't even walk, and you still want me to marry him?"

Maya's eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerously low tone. "Trisha, you need to understand who we're talking about. He's Arnav Rathore, the one and only. Do you know how many girls would kill for just one glance from him? He's known as the most handsome man here. And the Rathore family? You know their status-they're the wealthiest family here."

Trisha's father, Rajvijay, who had remained silent until now, struggled with the words he wanted to say. He knew Arnav's condition and the challenges that came with it, but he also knew the strength of the Rathore family's legacy. When his old friend had asked for Trisha's hand for his son Arnav, Rajvijay couldn't find it in his heart to refuse. Despite Arnav's inability to walk, his success and stature in life were undeniable.

But Trisha was not swayed.

"Mom, I don't want to marry him," she said, her voice firm.

Maya's patience had run thin.

"You will marry him, Trisha. That's the end of it," she said with finality, her eyes daring her daughter to argue further.

Trisha, her anger barely contained, spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart heavy with frustration and helplessness.

Misha wandered through the mansion, her eyes wide with amusement. Her own family was wealthy, but the Rathores were on an entirely different level. The mansion was grand, a stunning blend of opulence and elegance, filled with the finest things money could buy. She found herself admiring the spaciousness of the place, the way every corner seemed thoughtfully designed, with personal spaces for everyone and a corresponding nook tucked away. The garden, though, was her favourite-breathtaking, serene escape, full of life and colour

As she soaked in the beauty of her surroundings, a thought struck her.

There was another wedding in just one day, and all the preparations were now her responsibility. With that weight on her mind, Misha turned and made her way to her room.

-----

Abhimanyu was absorbed in his work, using it as a distraction from his swirling thoughts. He glanced up when the door opened and his frustration was evident upon seeing the intruder.

"Abhimanyu, how are you?" the visitor asked, entering the cabin and taking a seat with a smile.

"Why are you here?" Abhimanyu asked with irritation, his attention drifting back to the file before him.

"Don't tell me I can't visit my friend," the visitor responded with mock offense. Abhimanyu sighed, knowing this was typical of Avinash.

"Avinash, that's not what I meant. I was just curious why you're here," Abhimanyu said, setting the file aside. Avinash nodded in acknowledgment.

"That's fair, but what are you doing at the office? You're married now," Avinash said, feigning shock. Avinash and Abhimanyu had been friends since childhood, with Avinash's father, Avish Roy Khanna, being a close friend of Hrudhay Rathore. Their friendship extended to the other Rathore brothers, and the two shared a deep bond, knowing each other's secrets.

"What do you mean?" Abhimanyu asked, his irritation evident.

"You should be at the mansion, not working here," Avinash said with a teasing tone. "I know you're dedicated to work, but you could at least take a couple of days off."

Abhimanyu shot him a glare, and Avinash quickly realized he'd gone too far and looked away.

"Don't bring that up," Abhimanyu said, his anger palpable as he clenched his fists. Understanding the sensitivity of the topic, Avinash nodded, respecting Abhimanyu's emotions.

"Now, tell me why you're really here," Abhimanyu said, clasping his hands together and focusing intently on Avinash.

"I've got a new project and need your company's name listed as a shareholder on the project file. Dad asked me to come and handle it," Avinash explained, leaning back in his chair.

"So you came with work in mind but started with your usual nonsense," Abhimanyu remarked, disbelief evident in his voice. Avinash chuckled, acknowledging the truth in Abhimanyu's words.

After their discussion, it was time for Avinash to leave.

"Abhimanyu, I've got a meeting to attend, so I'll be going," Avinash said with a serious tone. Abhimanyu nodded.

"I'll catch up with you later," Avinash added with a smile, rising from his seat. As he was about to leave, he paused and turned back to Abhimanyu, who looked puzzled.

"Abhimanyu, we can't dwell on the past. Just focus on the present," Avinash said, offering a reassuring smile before leaving. Abhimanyu was left deep in thought, reflecting on Avinash's words and his own past.

Abhimanyu returned from the office after a grueling day, desperate for some rest. As he opened the door to his room, he was met with the sight of Misha sitting on the bed, absorbed in her phone. His frustration flared-seeing her in his space was the last thing he wanted.

Suppressing his anger, he bypassed her and retreated into the adjoining closet before heading to the bathroom. After a quick shower, he emerged to find Misha still in the same spot, completely indifferent to his presence.

His irritation grew. He clenched his fists, determined to take action.

"I need to do something about this," he said to himself, his resolve hardening. He left the room, slamming the door behind him with a loud thud.

Misha glanced up as her husband returned from the office but chose to ignore him, focusing instead on her phone. She watched him get ready and leave the room, slamming the door behind him with a loud thud.

Unbothered by the commotion, she sighed and turned her attention back to her screen. If Abhimanyu believed their marriage meant nothing, why should she waste her energy on it? With a sense of detachment, she resolved not to care. Let him handle the mess. With that thought, she settled into bed and fell asleep peacefully.

Gifts from Rathore's to Misha

Hrudhay Rathore

Father in law

Aavyan Rathore

Devar ji

Ekansh Rathore

Devar ji

Arnav Rathore

Devar ji

We all deserve a Father in law and Devar's like them.